Chapter 8, Arrogance

Xie Fanghua felt a warmth in her heart, nodded slightly, and strode towards Zhilan Garden

Xie Fanghua smiled and raised her eyebrows; the decision to destroy Wuming Mountain was one she made the day she arrived there eight years ago. After eight years, if she could not destroy Wuming Mountain, she would be utterly useless

The Emperor has kept my grandfather and summoned Prince Ying into the palace, which is clearly to discuss matters regarding Wuming Mountain with them. Xie Mohan analyzed, "I wonder how the Emperor will handle Wuming Mountain after sending someone to verify the situation."

Xie Mohan let out a long sigh after hearing this, "Fortunately, the Emperor is wise and does not indiscriminately kill the innocent; otherwise, your fate today would be dire."

At this moment, Xie Fanghua felt a certain admiration for the arrogant and flamboyant person walking ahead of her. To be able to stride along in the carriage of the Left Prime Minister without having anyone sent after him for a confrontation, he truly had the capital to be so audacious

Today, Grandfather worked hard to escort you back; remember to treat me to tea tomorrow. Qin Zheng tossed out this remark and turned the horse's head to leave

That is no longer our concern said Xie Fanghua with little regard

Qin Zheng arrived in front of the carriage, as if he had not seen it at all. He raised his whip and struck the horse, causing his mount to rear up and leap over the carriage.

Xie Fanghua did not think much of Xu; she naturally understood the temperament of the current emperor, otherwise she would not have dared to take such a great risk to deliver the secret letter herself

Two individuals exited the palace gate, one in front and the other behind. A guard immediately brought a horse for Qin Zheng, who mounted it with agility. Xie Fanghua, of course, could not enjoy the privilege of having someone lead her horse; she untied the reins from the post where the horse was secured from a distance and stepped onto the stirrup to mount her horse.

"Little one, go back to the residence and call your father, just tell him that I will discuss matters with him this evening," the Emperor instructed Qin Zheng

Xie Fanghua looked at her brother, thinking that heaven had been very kind to her. In this life, it was the favor of heaven; otherwise, how could she still see her grandfather and brother living well before her eyes, and how could she still see the plaque of the loyal and brave marquis's residence hanging intact at the door

This means you have indeed done a meritorious deed

Xie Fanghua was a hundred times unwilling to be sent back to the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion by Qin Zheng, but the Emperor had spoken, leaving her no room for rebuttal. She could only follow behind him and retreat.

"It is!" Xie Fanghua bowed her head

The doorman poked his head out and, upon seeing Qin Zheng and Xie Fanghua, immediately opened the side door

Qin Zheng nodded slightly

Naturally, Xie Fanghua nodded

After wiping away the nonexistent sweat, Xie Fanghua hesitated for a moment but ultimately tucked Qin Zheng's handkerchief into her bosom

Xie Fanghua was taken aback for a moment and then mimicked his actions.

Xie Mohan sighed and said to her with certainty, "My sister is so intelligent and has endured so much suffering; she will surely be favored by heaven and will have boundless blessings in the future." After finishing, he added, "Heaven will not allow a person to suffer endlessly."

Xie Mohan trembled slightly, remaining silent for a while. Upon seeing Xie Fanghua's calm and serene face, he reached out to hold her hand and said with a pained heart, "My sister used to be so sensitive that she would feel sad for half a day even after stepping on an ant, yet to support the loyal and brave marquisate, she dared to destroy even nameless mountains and killed so many people. It is all because of my inadequacy as an elder brother"

Under the feet of the Son of Heaven, in all directions of Kyoto, who would dare to disregard the face of the Left Prime Minister? Even Prince Ying must show some courtesy when meeting the Left Prime Minister. Only Qin Zheng, who has always been fearless and has never given him an ounce of respect, stands apart.

Upon entering the Southern Study, the atmosphere immediately became much more oppressive

Wang Yin, you shall set off for the Northern Desert Military Camp tomorrow. Convey a message from me to General Wu Wei, instructing him to dispatch a team to guard the nameless mountain, sealing it off to prevent anyone from investigating. I will send someone to verify this matter as soon as possible

Upon arriving at Zhilan Garden, Xie Mohan immediately opened the door upon hearing footsteps, and a look of joy spread across her eyes upon seeing her return

Xie Fanghua watched him walk away, snorting coldly. Tomorrow, Wang Yin would be leaving the capital, so why should she invite him for some worthless tea

The two horses quickly arrived at the residence of the Loyal and Brave Marquis

In the blink of an eye, two horses galloped past, leaving the chariot of the Left Prime Minister far behind. When the Left Prime Minister leaned out of the carriage, he could only hear the sound of the horses' hooves, and not even a shadow of the horses was in sight, causing his expression to suddenly turn cold

Xie Mohan was taken aback, "After all the effort to return, you still want to leave the capital for the northern desert?"

Xie Mohan smiled and tapped her forehead, "You really have a lot of courage. However, you have done well in destroying the nameless mountain; otherwise, it would be difficult to ensure that you won't leave traces of having been to the nameless mountain in the future, and that would lead to significant trouble."

Xie Mohan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, as long as they would not leave again

"The Duke of Loyalty and Valor has left, you are to escort Wang Yin back to the Duke's residence!" The Emperor waved his hand, his gaze sharp, and spoke with authority, "Whoever dares to inquire about anything, keep your mouths shut! If you utter even a single word, you two will no longer have heads on your necks in the future"

Racing down a street, at the corner, a carriage was parked sideways in the middle of the road. Xie Fanghua clearly saw the license plate of the Left Prime Minister's carriage, squinted her eyes, and thought that perhaps the Left Prime Minister was deliberately waiting here to extract information. The emperor is the one who knows his ministers best.

Fortunately, they did not have to wait too long, as the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Court, Wu Quan, came out to call the two of them in

Xie Fanghua secretly praised the horsemanship of the dandy young master, quickly urging her horse to follow closely behind him

Xie Fanghua smiled as she pushed his hand away, "Most of your brother's illness is a matter of the heart, accumulated in his mind, which is why it has become a chronic ailment. If you could be more open-hearted, you wouldn't have to rely on medication all the time." After saying this, she casually remarked, "How many bones have been buried in the nameless mountain from ancient times to the present? The people I have killed are merely one percent. Moreover, those individuals, once they entered the nameless mountain, ceased to be human; they became death warriors, living corpses, tools for killing. If I do not kill them, if released, each one of them could kill hundreds or even thousands."

Xie Fanghua entered the room, had a cup of tea, and briefly recounted today's events to Xie Mohan. Naturally, she omitted the part where Qin Zheng had bullied her with a handkerchief.

Xie Fanghua looked at Xie Mohan's anxious expression and smiled to reassure him, "I will not go far, just three hundred miles outside the capital. Beyond those three hundred miles, the real Wang Yin is waiting there. I will meet him, he will return to the Northern Wilderness military camp, and I will come back."

Xie Fanghua pretended not to see his malicious smile, lowered her head, silently counting the hours, pondering when she would be able to leave the palace, and considering how the emperor would handle this matter. Would it be kept secret from the world, or would it be made public?

Qin Zheng turned his head and saw her actions, and immediately broke into a beaming smile

"But how did you manage to successfully destroy Wuming Mountain? It is said that Wuming Mountain consists of five connected mountain ranges, and it cannot be destroyed overnight." Xie Mohan had always been puzzled, "Moreover, it was even labeled as a heavenly thunder incident."

Qin Zheng glanced at Xie Fanghua, responded in a proper manner, and walked out

Xie Fanghua secretly let out a sigh of relief, and her steps became a bit lighter

Leaving the Southern Study, Qin Zheng strode ahead, no longer intending to bully her

Xie Fanghua took a sip of tea and said softly, "It was not merely a name associated with thunder, but it truly attracted thunder that destroyed the five mountain ranges. It all happened in a single night. After winter set in, there was a heavy rain there, accompanied by lightning and thunder. I buried something at the peaks of the five mountain ranges to attract lightning strikes. In one night, the nameless mountain was completely overturned. Apart from myself, who had exited in advance, no one survived." I buried something at the peaks of the five mountain ranges to attract lightning strikes. In one night, the nameless mountain was completely overturned. Apart from myself, who had exited in advance, no one survived.

Qin Zheng took the lead and swiftly dashed away from the imperial palace

Upon entering the mansion, the attendant had already come out to greet her, whispering, "Miss, the heir has been worried about you and the old marquis. He has been restless for half a day, not even taking his medicine. Now that you have returned, please go and reassure him at once"

Xie Fanghua shook her head, "No, I must go to Beijing myself"

Xie Mohan noticed that Xie Fanghua appeared dazed, and assumed she was recalling the unpleasant events on Wuming Mountain. He promptly changed the subject, saying, "Tomorrow the Emperor requires you to leave the capital. I have already arranged a substitute for you, who will disguise themselves and return in your stead."